LMU B.A.Religious Studies – EN110: Language & Style – Essay #6 – Fall 1976

Notes and essays from my first college English course, much here is cringe-worthy. At the same time, I find it interesting where my mind would wander to when I was given deadlines. After getting positive responses from my professor, this was my first experience writing for an audience (of one). This particular essay was not graded by my professor but by a substitute and that person did NOT like my writing at all (see grade below!). Enjoy (2023-11-16)

Four Faced Love

By Joe Bustillos

EN110 B – Essay #6
November 8, 1976

**Thesis statement: It is a crime that when we reach a level of love, we do not continue to that apex of love, which is love itself (Agape).**

Sarah can I love you
will you open up the door?
I know you've heard that misused word
a lot of times "before;
But I think that you need someone
who can firmly take your hand, 
and love you in a way
that you can really understand. 
- Randy Stonehill¹

In the lyrics of songs, in the verses of poems, in the proverbs of wisdom this term is used. Love stands out like a sore thumb in the dialect of mankind. But when I look at my various brothers and sisters I come to question what they mean when they say, “I love you.”

In the English language the term “love” is used basically four ways:

As an attraction because of kinship or heritage, examples of this maternal love or the love of one’s hometown;
As a bond between people because of common experience, an example of this is a group of boys going through adolescence together;
An unselfish loyalty to or benevolence for another, for example the love of God;
And finally as an attraction due to sexual desire.

While it is true that the above definitions are forms of love they are not what constitutes love itself (Agape). Love transcends maternal concern. it transcends the feeling of comradeship. Mere benevolence, and sexual wantonness are only shadows of what love is. While love may consummate its manifestation in sexual Intercourse, sex is not love’s cause nor its full embodiment. Benevolence may be seen in love; but love is the cause of benevolence and not benevolence the cause of love. Love may be seen in comradeship and maternal concern, but love surpasses then in the same way that “I love you, mother or brother,” is surpassed by “I love you (person).” Love is the realization of person and the attitude of sharing.

The crime is therefore, that when we reach a level of love we do not continue to that apex of love, which is love itself (Agape).

Good mom of evening friends 
here's your friendly announcer,
I have serious news 
to pass on to everybody.
What I'm about to say 
could mean the world's disaster,
could change your joy ant lighter 
to tears and pain:
that's, love's in need of love today, 
don't delay
send yours in right away 
- Stevie Wonder((Stevie Wonder,"Love's in Need of Love Today," from SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE album, Motown Record: Corp.: Hollywood, California, 1976.